Abstract: In a tree shaking apparatus a pad positionable between the trunk of a tree to be shaken, and the apparatus itself, includes a pair of end sections. Each end section defines a bore extending therethrough for receiving a post extending from the apparatus, thereby mounting the pad on the apparatus. A resilient polymeric web extends between the end sections and defines a first surface for engaging the trunk of a tree to be shaken.

Abstract: A skip car liner comprises a resilient elastomeric barrier which includes a backing ply adapted to hang within a skip car receptacle adjacent an inner surface of a wall of the receptacle. A plurality of parallel vertically spaced apart ribs integrally formed on the barrier project downwardly and inwardly from the inner surface of the backing ply and extend along the entire length of the ply. The ribs terminate at free ends disposed within a common plane parallel to and spaced from the inner surface of the backing ply. A horizontally spaced apart series of slits formed in each rib extend from the backing ply through the rib to and through its free end. The slits divide each rib into a plurality of discrete rib sections, each rib section being supported on the backing ply for independent deflection relative to the backing ply.

Abstract: An industrial solid tire for heavy-load, off-road use having a cast polyurethane tire thereon is produced by a batch method. The tire is a heat cured polyurethane produced from a dispersion of a prepolymer, a curative and an amount of a silicone dispersing and lubricant agent. The amount of silicone is between 1.0 and 4.0 parts per hundred of the prepolymer. A method for manufacturing the tire is included.

Abstract: A vibration isolating mount for use with a vibratory pile driver and extractor is comprised of a pair of identical plates that are spaced from each and are interconnected by a polyether-based urethane center member. Each of the plates are provided with pluralities of attachment holes for attaching the vibration isolating mount between an exciter and a suspension housing of a vibratory pile driver and extractor. Each of the plates is also provided with pluralities of lug holes that are filled with the polyether-based urethane of the center member and provide a mechanical connection between the plates and the center member in addition to a chemical bond adhering the plates to the center member.

Abstract: An ether-based polyurethane article comprises a toluene diisocyanate-terminated polyether polyol prepolymer cured with a blended polyester polyol/diamine curative. The article may be made by mixing a toluene diisocyanate-terminated polyether polyol prepolymer with a blended polyester polyol/diamine curative to form a reaction mixture. A suitably shaped mold is preheated and filled with the reaction mixture with sufficient pressure to displace air in the mold. The reaction mixture is held in the preheated mold to cure the reaction mixture and form the article. The cast article is removed from the mold and post-cured to complete the chemical cross-linking reaction.

Abstract: A wheel for a relatively slow vehicle used in industrial applications and incorporating a solid tire formed of dense elastomer material such as cast polyurethane, having a relatively large radial depth, for example six inches, a relatively large width, for example twelve inches, and a deep slot extending circumferentially around the tire and dividing the tire into sections separated by the slot with the ratio of the depth of the slot to the lateral width of each section being in the range of 0.65 to 1.75. The tire is bonded to the wheel rim and includes sidewalls containing concave surfaces terminating in relatively thin lips bonded to the outer edges of the rim, keeping stress in the edge of the tire relatively low which helps reduce tire failures from beginning in the edges of the tire along the rim edges.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire is disclosed having a polyether polyol urethane elastomeric body with a plurality of angular radial ribs interconnected by webbing. The urethane is formed of at least two isocyanate-end capped polyether polyols of differing molecular weights to yield a tire with improved highway life and good vehicle ride characteristics.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring useful as an automotive shock or strut end-of-travel bumper having at least three distinct spring rates made possible by a series of roughly cylindrical, hollow elastomeric tubes stacked with the axes of the tubes normal to the axis of deflection of the spring. The tubes collapse sequentially to yield multiple spring rates. Non uniform wall thickness tubes, roll axially over the outer peripheral surface of the thicker walls of adjacent tubes during deflection.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire is disclosed having a polyether polyol urethane elastomeric body with a plurality of angular radial ribs interconnected by webbing. The urethane is formed of at least two isocyanate-end capped polyether polyols of differing molecular weights to yield a tire with improved highway life and good vehicle ride characteristics.

Abstract: A trapezoidal non-pneumatic tire ("TNPT") is integrally molded from a stiff, resilient elastomeric material with particular specifications, to form a unitary structure comprising outer and inner cylindrical coaxial members ("hoops"), the outer being wider than the inner. The outer hoop is supported and cushioned by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, planar rib members (ribs) and a planar central web member (web) which connects the hoops at their circumferential center lines. The web lies in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the TNPT. The ribs extend axially along the inner and outer hoops, connecting them, and the edges of the ribs lie along the opposite faces of the web. The ribs are angled in the range from 15.degree. to 75.degree. to radial planes which intersect them at their radially inner ends, and the ribs on one side of the web are angled oppositely from those on the other. A rubber tread is secured to the outer surface of the outer hoop.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire ("NPT") is integrally molded from a stiff, resilient elastomeric material with particular specifications, to form a unitary structure comprising outer and inner cylindrical coaxial and coextensive members ("hoops"). The outer hoop is supported and cushioned by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, planar rib members (ribs) and a planar central web member (web) which connects the hoops at their circumferential center lines. The web lies in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the NPT. The ribs extend axially along the inner and outer hoops, connecting them, and the edges of the ribs lie along the opposite faces of the web. The ribs are angulated in the range from 15.degree. to 75.degree. to radial planes which intersect them at their radially inner ends. A rubber tread is secured to the outer surface of the outer hoop.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire with an annular body of resilient elastomeric material and an outer cylindrical member supported by circumferentially spaced-apart ribs, is provided with four vibration-reducing features. First, the tire has an outer tread surface with a crown radius. Secondly, the tread has a pattern with a plurality of circumferential grooves and lateral grooves arranged to reduce uneven contact pressures caused by radial forces carried by the tire's ribs. Thirdly, the spacing of the ribs is randomly varied around the circumference of the tire to broaden a vibration spectrum caused by the ribs and reduce peak vibrations. Fourthly, a wheel rim that supports the annular body is provided with a structurally incorporated hoop to reduce deflection of the wheel rim during tire operation.